Author's Note!

Hey there!

I know I've been neglecting a lot of my older stories, and today I will try to at least give them the attention they desperately needed. So since last week, I've been pumping out these updates as a peace offering to all who waited for more than a year (in this story's case, years) for a continuation. Again, I'm deeply sorry for the long overdue updates. And I hope this won't make all of it in vain and will stick to what made you guys like my stories in the first place. :)

Well, let's get started, shall we? My name's kmtdiccion and this is

"A Badger And A Sloth"
by: kmtdiccion

Chapter 3

"School today totally sucked. Why am I really stuck with him?"

If there's anything Kim could describe her situation right now, the word she would pick without a second thought would be 'hellish'.

She doesn't understand what was happening with her, but the sight of her target's smirk puts her on edge. At first, she was alright, since she didn't noticed it, but now that he's obviously checking her out, she feels a bit miffed. Laying back on his chair with an aloof aura, Matthew seems to treat this interview like it was just his past-time. And the way he eyes her turned her off from the notion that he is a 'hottie'. To be honest, she feels a bit crept out by him, but what can she do? She needed to finish this so that her team can finally finish the yearbook. Guarding herself to not let out a groan, she asked, eyes trained back to him.

"Let's talk about your iconic play this year, Game 7 of the Regionals against Upperton. What is running in your mind when you took that buzzer beater shot?"

His eyes were filled with mirth and answered in his suave voice "I always take the chance to go beyond expectations. I was never known to shoot from afar, so the guard let up and decided to not put a post on me, which is a crucial mistake. I took advantage of it and let the Allen in me take over." He puts his elbows on the desk, leaning his head against his arms, and asked "What did you think of that play? Ain't I good?"

When he saw her brows furrowed for a while, he let out an amused chuckle, much to the interviewer's ire. Kim fought the urge to strangle him and responded as curtly as possible "It is a good play. Although I hope you would remember that I am on my job, so please stay focused." From the mention of the word 'job', she remembered something to ask him "Which reminds me, why did you keep putting my writers off from this interview? Don't you like to be in the limelight?"

He let out a laugh and responded "Of course, I like it, but you see, baby, I'm always under the limelight. And besides, if I want someone who will write an article about me, why not choose the best one?"

The redhead saw him winking at her, which almost made her roll her eyes. Clearly, the interview is going nowhere. And since she had the basic stuff covered, she decided that this sitch is over. Flashing a bright smile. She stood up, fixed her things, and bid "Thank you for the time, Mr. Evans. It is a pleasure working with you."

Frowning, the boy said, reaching out to her "Hey, hey, I don't think this is over. I wanted to tell you more about me. Why don't you sit down and talk for a bit? I'm sure you will find me interesting to get to know to, right?" He grabbed her by her shoulder as an attempt to calm her down. But unknown to him, it would be his end. With lightning reaction, Kim grabbed his arm and pinned him against the wall. Before he could let out a cry, Matthew could feel the pressure on his arm. With her smile not wavering in her face, she inched closer and whispered

"I am really sorry, Mr. Evans. You see, I get a bit antsy when others try to touch me like that. Now, I need to finish the yearbook so it can be publish within the time frame. Thank you."

She let out of his arm and walked out of the room before he could respond. Rubbing his wrist, the basketball star tried to calm down his heartbeat, which is running like a galloping horse in a racetrack. He was almost twice as big as her and yet she pulled a grappling move on him easily. His eyes twitch in annoyance on what happened and let out a grumble. Forcing the world-famous crimefighter to be your girl is not worth it. He felt he almost died. He mumbled while going outside the room.

"W-Well, she doesn't have boobs anyways, so there's nothing to lose. I still have my sights on that brunette senior chick."

"School today totally sucked. Why can't I be with my best friend?"

Ron mused to himself as he packed his things inside his backpack and left the classroom. It was the last class he has for today, and he was really grateful for that fact, but the thought that he's not with his best friend puts him in a funk lately. The students around him were talking with rushed hype about their activities after school. Some would go to the arcade, while others fuss about their upcoming tests and suggested a group study. Rufus hopped out of the pocket and waved in front of him, to which the blonde smiled and said.

"Time to go home, 'ole buddy." Rubbing his chin in thought, Ron mused about something that might cheer him up "Say, want to have some to-go Bueno Nacho, Rufus?"

Seeing the enthusiastic nod of agreement form the naked mole rat, Ron quickly slung his bag on his back and went out of the school doors. The sun was hovering above them with no clouds blocking it, but its heat and light isn't unbearable like earlier. The gentle afternoon breeze sweeps through the suburb, which made the hairless pet shiver. Ron lightly laughed when Rufus decided to go back inside his pocket before returning to his walk. Looking around, he saw something that piqued his interest, and was about to say something when he realized one thing. "Hmm, The Fearless- oh."

He has no one to gush about the New Fearless Ferret movie remake poster. There's no certain redhead who would let out a groan and would retort about how 'stupid' the movie is. Although he would be miffed when someone would diss his favorite hero, but the thought of not having his friend to be there for him makes him return to his gloomy state. Kicking a small pebble, he muttered to himself "This so tanks. KP's not here because of her stupid schoolwork."

Sure, it's a bit childish for him, but he dearly misses her and he hoped that the day he could have his best friend back would be real soon. He was about to cross the street when he heard a voice he hadn't heard for a while now that isn't his redhead friend.

"Hey, Ron." Turning back, he saw long, smooth tresses of curly brown hair adorning her cool and almost calculating face. Her smile widened and waved her hand at him. Months before, this sight would've shocked the blonde, and everyone who may see this sight, although right now some were giving him odd looks. But the Ron and this girl had changed from months before, and this circumstance didn't shock either of them. Knowing it's been a while since they last talked, he gave her a goofy grin and smiled back

"Hey, Croquette Lady! Nice to meet 'ya!"

"Honestly, Naco Boy." Amelia shook her head from his remark with an amused smile. Through the course of their friendship, they have learned more about each other. The day of the student fair, Ron gave her a croquette he bought from one of the stalls. And what he saw next changed his view of her entirely. She gave him one of the biggest smiles he saw her wear and hugged him tightly, before munching on the sweet treat with as much gusto as a child. And from that moment on, Ron coined her nickname as 'Croquette Lady'

Also smiling from the memory, Ron said "I know. I never would've guessed someone like you can love croquette like I do with Nacos. It's like we're meant to be." Although he meant that in jest, he didn't notice the small blush adorning her cheeks. Ron continued with a question "So, what're you going to do tonight? Going to a party? Study?"

She shook her head negatively and answered "No, this may sound shocking to you, but I haven't gone to any party for a while now. I've got newspaper duties and some schoolwork." The mention of the word 'schoolwork' made the blonde's grin falter, before smiling back like his usual self. But, that didn't go unnoticed when she continued "But right now is essentially my break, so to speak. So I would just laze around, I guess. How about you? What does the Ron-man has in store for the night?"

"Nothing much." Ron lamented, trying to hide his disappointment from Kim's absence with a smile "KP's been busy lately and today's supposed to be the day we hang out. So, the Ron-man's pretty much free for the night."

"I know that smile, Ron." Amelia silently thought, she was wearing one all the time before her fateful encounter with him "You poor thing. I know Kim's not wrong on this one, because I know how stressful school can be. But, I also know how it feels to be neglected. Maybe this is my chance to repay what you've done to me." And with that though in mind, she asked him with hope in her eyes "Hey, Ron. You know, I haven't eaten anything since lunch, so why don't we head to Bueno Nacho for some snacks?"

Ron stared at her for a moment, before erupting into fits of laughter, which caught the girl's curiosity. But beyond the humor, Ron was really touched by her thought. Besides Kim, Monique and Felix, no one else the same age as him had cared for him as much as she did. And to see her casually inviting him to eat to a place he knew she doesn't like made his heart to flutter. It was refreshing to see someone who cares to what you think. Smiling, he grabbed her by the shoulders, stared to her eyes, and said "Sure, why not? I'd love to hang out with you."

Blushing on his words, she nodded and started walking along. The heavy mood he was in earlier was completely erased. It has been a while since he last enjoyed some company. And silently, he thanked her for that. There she was, someone who is high on the social ladder, smart, and pretty, hanging out with a loser like him. He still feels a bit sad that Kim's not here, but at least he won't be alone for the moment. It's nice to have a distraction once in a while.

"Hmm, aren't you warming up to me? I would never thought that you would ask me to eat at Bueno Nacho. For sure I thought we would be eating a certain French pastry if you really want."

"Dream on, Naco Boy. This is only a one-time deal."

"Suure." The two of them erupted into laughter while walking down the sidewalk, slowly nearing the famed Tex-Mex fast food restaurant. Side by side, the two kept bantering at each other, locked in a playful battle to which food is the best. School tday may sucked for the blonde, much like the past few days, but it doesn't mean it has to be forever. He had found her when she was at her lowest point, and right now, he's the one being saved unexpectedly by the same girl.

"School today totally sucked. Why do I keep following the stupid ladder?"

Tara let out another sigh while sipping from her smoothie. This is the third time today that the jocks woo her to be her date. First was on Brick's team which tried to woo her by flexing his muscles and grunting, which only lead to his offer easily rejected. The second time was with the baseball team and tried a more subtle approach with chocolates, which would've worked if it wasn't for him to blurt out of his 'plans' after prom which he said she would have 'a good time' and a 'night of your life'. She could feel her head throbbing when the boy now in front of him started to speak. The third one was from the basketball team, and he was even only a sub, but he was sure cocky as if he's Matthew Evans.

All of the guys who asked her out were either jocks who think they own everything, or creeps that only saw her as a trophy to be claimed. Gulping another sip, she muttered to herself "Is being high on the social ladder all that? If it wasn't for B, then I would've left this stupid Food Chain in a heartbeat."

"Hey T," Her train of thought were shattered when she heard the Social Queen of Middleton, and her best friend, Bonnie Rockwaller asking her a question while fiddling with her phone "Do you have anyone in mind to be your date this prom?"

"For the meantime, no," She explained truthfully, earning the brunette's full attention when she pocketed her phone "I mean, there's still weeks before prom, so I am really not that in a hurry. And... you know, the whole break-up sitch is still new to me. I am really not looking forward to another heartbreak." Her breakup with Josh Mankey is still a touchy subject to her. They started dating a week before the Middleton Fair. The two were fairly compatible, with Josh's being understanding and Tara being too kind for her own good. The two were fine until a certain miscommunication turned sour and forced the couple to break up. Although unlike her childish crush to Ron, what the platinum blonde felt for the aspiring artist is real and she knows Josh feels the same. But, the hurt is still too much for them and they kept avoiding each other right up to this day.

"I really don't understand you two. You've broken up but yet you two still don't want to move on." Shaking her head, Bonnie grabbed her drink and said "Maybe you're really for Josh because you two are too stupid for each other." But before Tara could retort, Bonnie grabbed her hand and stared at her, showing sincerity only Tara would ever see "I really want you to be happy, even just for this party, so at least give it some thought, okay? I hope you understand that all I want is to make you smile."

Tara smiled with heartfelt emotions and replied "Thanks, B."

The brunette snorted before sharing her gossip to her friend "Anyways, you know Bricks with me, right? Well, here's who's dating who for prom, that's why I am insisting to get yourself a date before all the good ones go out. Marcella's going with the star pitcher David while Crystal's hook up with the recent Hispanic transfer student who was a goalie in his former school I can't really remember his name since he just transferred today, but props to Crystal for taking something fast." Tara chuckled as she continued to listen "There are rumors that Amelia is going with Matthew Evans, which she should be grateful and..."

In the corner of her eye, the blonde saw something peculiar. Right across the street, one particular blonde boy is walking inside Bueno Nacho. Now, that isn't surprising to Tara since she very well knew how much he loves the food on the Tex-Mex restaurant. But what catches her eyes is the girl he is with. She knew it wasn't his usual best friend since, number one, Kim's still busy with the yearbook and prom committees, and number two, her hair is chestnut brown, not auburn red. Tara's curiosity spiked as she eyed the two, who seem to be in a comfortable mood.

"Hmm... Why is Amelia with Ron? Isn't she supposed to be with Matthew?" Tara kept watching before they were out of her sight. Tara's eyes furrow in contemplation, thinking about what she saw. She knew nothing about her interaction with the boy, and she feared that maybe she's using the poor freckled teen for her own gain. The blonde faced her friend and asked "Hey B, Where do you think Amelia is?"

Bonnie stopped her gossip trained and thought, before answering "According to the rumor mill, Matthew's still courting her, so I guess she's with him. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing." Tara muttered before taking another sip on her smoothie. Although she accepted the fact that Ron may not look at her the way she did in the past, she still holds him as something precious. Of course, who wouldn't be impressed to be living the way he wanted, not caring for what others think. He's selflessly kind and she knows he can be easily manipulated, especially to those who are high on the ladder like Amelia. She got over her crush but it would be over her dead body to let someone hurt him.

"I hope Ron would be alright and Amelia does nothing wrong."

A/N's: So there. I'm still finishing that chapter but I guess I can still squeeze in a couple more for my other stories. Thank you for reading this. Don't forget to leave a review and make this in your favorite and alert lists so you can be up to date!

'Til next time!
-kmtdiccion :)